17-35 vs 18-35 Nikon zoom lenses...

[Jaime Vallés]

Ok, like a lot of you, I'll start off using still lenses with my RED. Many people here mention this as one of the best zooms for the price:

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/1735.htm

It looks perfect, but it costs around $1500. My question is how does this 17-35 compare to the much less expensive 18-35 lens below:

Nikon AF Nikkor 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D ED IF
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/1835.htm

It's less than $500, and according to Ken Rockwell's review, produces very good images. The drawbacks seem to be 1) more distortion at the wide settings, and 2) less light sensitivity.

I haven't used either one in person, so if someone can post their experiences with these two, that would be greatly appreciated. Otherwise, I'll wait for Evin's reviews of the Nikon zooms for RED to be posted (thanks, Evin!).

Exciting times for all!!! :)

[Júlio Taubkin]

First of all, it doesn't hold it's aperture at all zoom levels, meaning it could be as dark as 4.5 depending on the zoom chosen. Second, it's way too dark for motion images, where we have to deal with exposure times of 1/48th of a second.

[Jaime Vallés]

Ah, I see. The 17-35 holds the 2.8 aperture throughout its range. That's definitely a big deal.

I'll go with the 17-35 then, unless Evin's tests suggest otherwise.

Thanks, Taubkin!

[chuck colburn]

This is another 17-35mm with constant f2.8 that is VERY good.
Although harder to find in this shape nowadays, it can be used in Canon mount with an adapter although I would recommend that you put a Contax mount on the camera body as there are so many fantastic lenses out there in that mount.
It also focuses "cinewise"

http://cgi.ebay.com/Contax-N-17-35-2-8-Vario-Sonnar-15130912-NEW_W0QQitemZ270285168989QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera _Lenses?hash=item3eee40615d

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Why did we resurrect a 2-year-old thread? But hey, whatever.

The Nikon 17-35 is superior to their 18-35 in every way.

[David W. Jones]

This is another 17-35mm with constant f2.8 that is VERY good.
Although harder to find in this shape nowadays, it can be used in Canon mount with an adapter although I would recommend that you put a Contax mount on the camera body as there are so many fantastic lenses out there in that mount.
It also focuses "cinewise"

http://cgi.ebay.com/Contax-N-17-35-2-8-Vario-Sonnar-15130912-NEW_W0QQitemZ270285168989QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCamera _Lenses?hash=item3eee40615d

This lens is an autofocus Contax N mount lens, which uses a different mount from the Normal Contax C/Y mount.

All the Best!